A truly unique project providing support and safety to rough sleepers in Watford during the pandemictook home the top title of Accommodation Project of the Year at the highly anticipated return of YMCA’s Youth Matters Awards.
One YMCA’s Medium Complex Intensive Support Service (MCISS) won the prestigious title at the leading youth charity’s national ceremony, which was held at the exclusive Sheraton Grand Hotel in London’s Park Lane and hosted by acclaimed comedian and expert quizzer of ITV’s The Chase, Paul Sinha.
The project triumphed over strong competition from others across England and Wales during shortlisting, a public vote and a final decision by judges, and was praised for its inspiring approach to the Government’s ‘Everyone In’ initiative at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Responding to the complex needs of Watford’s 83 known and entrenched rough sleepers, One YMCA stepped up with MCISS, utilising highly experienced specialists to create multiple micro-communities of 22 residents each, offering a secure, supportive and psychologically informed environment. The results have been revolutionary, bringing down the rough sleeping population of Watford dramatically.
Guy Foxell, Chief Executive of One YMCA, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to be taking home the amazing title of Accommodation Project of the Year! Our team has worked incredibly hard to support our young people and community through an exceptionally difficult time, and I could not be prouder of everything they have delivered and achieved.
“Thank you so much to everyone in the community who supported us – we couldn’t have won this without you, you are all part of the YMCA family. We can’t wait to celebrate this fantastic recognition and use it to inspire One YMCA to accomplish even more in the future.”
Youth Matters is YMCA’s national awards programme marking an integral part of the charity’s calendar since 2009, and was sorely missed last year due to COVID-19. It celebrates the outstanding skills and achievements of young people from across the country and also recognises the vital work that YMCAs deliver every day. After an incredibly challenging time, this year’s awards are even more vital in recognising the innovation and resilience shown by YMCAs in the continued and unwavering support shown for their communities.
Locally, One YMCA delivers a range of programmes and services that tackle the issues facing local people and support them to reach their full potential and live their lives with a greater level of independence. Their services include family centres, nurseries, specialist support, health & wellbeing, youth work and supported housing.
Read more about One YMCA at https://oneymca.org/ for more information on YMCA’s Youth Matters Awards visit www.ymca.org.uk/about/awards.
